What was surprising this weekend, though, was that Donald Trump had the LA National Guard deployed. His action caused a firestorm and brought challenges from state and local officials. The deployment is in response to weeks-long protests against the community’s new immigration policy. In private discussions, Trump reportedly threatened that these protests would escalate into an insurrection. In response, this step has increased tensions between federal government and California state leadership.
Approximately 300 members of the California National Guard are being activated to defend federal personnel and property in the greater Los Angeles area. They have especially zeroed in on protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump went even further, characterizing the demonstrators as “insurrectionists” and “professional agitators.” California’s officials contend that those protests were insufficient to provoke a federal response.
State Response to Federal Action
California Governor Gavin Newsom gave the decision an earful and then some, condemning Trump’s deployment decision in heartfelt terms. He unveiled a bold legal campaign, with plans for the state to sue the Trump administration. He added that their actions simply are not in the best interests of the state. Newsom criticized the deployment, stating, “This is intended to sow more fear, more anger, and to further divide.”
In a statement addressing the protests, Newsom remarked on the perceived overreach of federal authority: “There’s 1,700 of them that aren’t doing anything, and at the same time he’s now called in, quote, unquote, deployed the Marines.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta agrees, arguing that the lack of positive federal action fails the high threshold required to invoke federal power. He’s sure in his judgment and looking for transparency on the issue.
“We urge residents to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and prioritize personal safety.” – Sergio Infanzon
Sergio Infanzon, a local civic leader, expressed his anger at the incident. He expressed his understanding of the stress and fear in the community and called on residents to stay calm as tensions rose.
Trump’s Justification for Deployment
After the backlash, Trump jumped on Truth Social to justify his selection. He posted a terrific short thread on deploying the National Guard. He alleged that those very protests created the conditions for an insurrection. He called these demonstrators “paid insurrectionists,” “illegal aliens,” “criminals,” and “rioters.”
Trump said that he’d “have to see” what happens if Marines were sent to Los Angeles. This illustrates his eagerness to intensify federal engagement in suppressing the protests. He recently went public with his criticism of what he referred to as “Trump’s mess” in LA. His immediate plan is to spend the day conferring with officials and stakeholders to address the bedlam.
“These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists.” – Donald Trump
Though Trump whipped up false narratives about protesters across the country, local leaders haven’t given up on the need for communication and peace. Jim McDonnell emphasized the importance of communication among agencies: “We are urging open and continuous lines of communication between all agencies to prevent confusion, avoid escalation, and ensure a coordinated, lawful, and orderly response during this critical time.”
Ongoing Protests and Arrests
In California, protests against the recent immigration raids have focused on cities such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. This past Friday’s dramatic incident was the arrest of local SEIU leader David Huerta in L.A.’s #abolishICE #ResistanceLA protest. Immigrant rights activists have long organized against what they see as draconian immigration enforcement and federal overreach.
The Posse Comitatus Act essentially forbids the military from taking an active role in domestic law enforcement. This creates a challenging picture for Trump’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops. It’s difficult to overstate how bad of a precedent using military personnel against civilian protests is.
“I wouldn’t call it quite an insurrection, but it could have led to an insurrection.” – Donald Trump
These fears have incited tensions between state officials and federal authorities. Additionally, residents say they’re concerned about violence and civil unrest. The story is still in play as both the administration and Congress try to readjust after a massive public push back.
